A FOREST school is taking ‘effective’ action towards lifting itself out of special measures just six months after its damning judgement, according to Ofsted.

Interim headteacher at Lakers School in Coleford, John Reilly, said he still has ‘a lot to do’ to get the school back on track.

Ofsted placed the school in special measures in December before the previous headteacher, Alison Elliott, announced her retirement.

Ofsted inspectors noted in a recent visit to the school that since Mr Reilly took up his post in January he has tackled major areas for improvement – quality of teaching and management – by appointing three teachers in English, maths and science. A further four teachers in these subjects are due to take up post this September.

Mr Reilly has also introduced an interim executive board to replace the governing board and is working towards converting the school into an academy with ‘preferred’ sponsor, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS). SGS already runs Forest High School in Cinderford.

Mr Reilly said: “Although the recent Ofsted inspection report is positive, we have still got lots to do. It is very much a working progress.

“The GCSE results next month will be a milestone for us and it will clearly show how far we have come in the last six months or so. I’d like us to see the percentage of those achieving five A*-C grades including in maths and English to be somewhere in the high forties, up from 34 per cent last year. Anything above 40 per cent would be fantastic.

“I remain committed to the school next term and moving us towards achieving academy status. I don’t expect the process to complete before January 2017.

“The report reflects the hard work of the staff and pupils but we have to acknowledge we still have a way to go.”

Inspectors also identified leaders of all levels are committed to addressing the areas for development and Mr Reilly was not afraid to tackle staff underperformance. Pupils are making stronger progress as many aspects of the leadership and quality of teaching is improving overall.

The local authority has also helped to broker the support of Dene Magna School, in Mitcheldean, which is providing training to staff.

Inspectors plan to re-visit the school in the autumn and have outlined that they expect to see ongoing improvements to pupils’ progress, including those who have special educational needs, and the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers close.